The Two Cormacs
BY ABBY
11.04.2013 - 11.04.2013
10 °C
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Koning/Zemliak Family Europe 2012/2013
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Today we left Inistioge for Killarney, which was a 3.5 hour drive. On the way we stopped at a town called Cashel to visit Saint Patrick's Rock (the Rock of Cashel), which happens to have been visited by Queen Elizabeth (this is what excited me most about going there). When we did get there however, the weather was very much against us. It was raining much more than cats and dogs... elephants and whales more like it. But my parents braved through the storm to find some more information on the place, and whether the majority of it was covered or not. When they came back to the car the rain had almost stopped, and in a matter of minutes after that, the sun had come out and the rain seemed to be finally over.
It is said that Saint Patrick's Rock is where Saint Patrick banished Satan from a cave, as well as being the site where Saint Patrick converted the King of Munster to Christianity. Cormac's Chapel is also by the castle, and it is the chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh. Hannah and I just made jokes about how it's actually Cormac McLaggan's chapel, who is secretly a saint, not an annoying, self-centered Quidditch player
.
Rock of Cashel
Learn more about Cormac's Chapel by clicking here.
Learn more about Cormac McLaggan by clicking here.
We watched an audio visual presentation (a video for those of you who aren't aware), which was actually pretty interesting and informative, and even if it looked like it hadn't been updated since the camera was invented, we didn't mind. We opted out of the guided tour, as most of the castle was under restoration, so there wouldn't be much for the guide to actually show us. We wandered around the outside mostly, looking at the view and the small cemetery out back. Inside they had a small museum with replicas of old artifacts, as well as a 'shrine' to Queen Elizabeth's visit, complete with pictures and the book in which she and Philip signed their names. The pen they used is also kept in the glass box along with the signatures.
After the castle we stopped for soup at a restaurant nearby. The soup was passable, but I have definitely seen better bread. Soon we were back on our way though, and I was back to my nap.
Rock of Cashel countryside ruin
Our new place is very comfortable, complete with two bathrooms, a TV and Wi-Fi (hallelujah!). My plan for tonight is to try to persuade the rest of my family to watch as many West Wings as possible, but I think I may only receive two.... oh, the hardships I have to endure.
Click here to learn more about Cashel.
Click here to learn more about Saint Patrick's Rock/Rock of Chashel.
Posted by KZFamily 12:29 Archived in Ireland Tagged ireland castle killarney cashel saint_patrick's_rock saint_patrick cormac's_chapel cormac_mclaggan
Hi family, Thank you for the last several blogs. It is always a pleasure to read and see what you are doing. This morning I wrote a comment and used the maximum space. When I was finished I lost my internet and with it my comment. Sad isn't. All the effort the old guy puts in and in the a blink of an eye all your work is gone.
The story of the Irish immigrants brought up a lot of memories. Yes, 61 years ago I too travelled with an immigrant ship from Holland to Halifax. It was a liberty ship that was used during WW2 to move troops. That ship had two holds , one for men and the other was for women and children. That accommodation was awful. However I do understand where these poor Irish people went through.
When I see all the picture of the stone buildings, I often wondered if there any rocks left in the ground. I am not able to comment on all the information you send us, but be assured I spend a lot of time on your blogs and pictures. Opa
by G Koning